The Maris Practice

21/05/2026

Sometimes the gentlest treatments can have the biggest impact ✨

Cranial osteopathy uses subtle, hands-on techniques to help release tension, support relaxation, and encourage the body’s natural ability to rebalance and heal. Many people find it deeply calming and beneficial for stress, headaches, tension, sleep, and overall wellbeing. 💆‍♀️🌿

Taking time to slow down and reconnect with your body is never wasted time.

18/05/2026

Let gentle hands and quiet space
Unwind the tension life can place.
With every touch, let worries stray,
As stress and cares just melt away.

Breathe deeply in, release the day,
And let calm carry you softly away.

17/05/2026

Harj says....."I visited Andrew a few months ago and I cannot recommend him enough. I've had an ongoing issue with my back for a long time and within 2 sessions he had solved everything wrong with me. I felt like a new person with a new spine. He was incredibly detailed with his diagnosis of my problem and what the remedy would be. By the time I went back, he informed me that I no longer required anymore work on my back. To take a moment and truly helpful yourself in any healing journey, please take a moment to come here."

14/05/2026

Aloe vera is a really useful plant to have in your home - mine sits on the bathroom windowsill enjoying the humidity from showers etc (if your windowsill is in full sunlit then move your plant somewhere less bright). When one of the family gets a small burn or has been out in the sun too much, I just snap off the end of a leave and use the viscous liquid to pat gently over the burn.

Luckily these plants are very tolerant of being ignored (they do not like over watering so my general lack of care suits them 😮)!

Aloe Vera has been used for centuries to help soothe minor burns, sunburn, and irritated skin thanks to its naturally cooling and hydrating properties. It is a gorgeous plant to keep at home - both for its looks and its many uses. 💚

Nature’s little first aid kit 🌿✨

07/05/2026

Did you know that your breathing can help with bloating?

When you breathe well:

- your rib cage expands
- your diaphragm moves fully

And this creates a gentle internal massage for your digestive system which helps food move through and decreases the chance of fermentation (and therefore bloating).

Now add posture into the mix. If you’re slumped over a laptop, collapsed on the sofa, or eating hunched forward, you’re literally compressing your digestive organs. Less space. Less movement. Slower transit.

So:
👉 Sit up (not rigid, just supported)
👉 Breathe into your ribs, not just your chest
👉 Give your insides a bit of room to do their thing

# breathing

04/05/2026

"I cannot recommend the Maris Practice more highly! Claire MacDonald and her wonderful colleagues are amazing. If you or your children have an injury, aches & pains, issues sleeping, are suffering from anxiety etc, whatever the issue I guarantee Clare and her colleagues can help. She is so knowledgeable about so many areas of health & will take the time and care to ‘look at the overall picture.’ If you’re wondering whether an osteopath can help…don’t wonder any longer. I promise someone at the Maris Practice will be able to and you’ll wish you’d booked an appointment earlier"

Vicki W April '26

29/04/2026

To supplement or not to supplement?

That is the question my husband asked!

My husband works in the sports industry and this morning he asked me to look at a product to work out its value and potential efficacy. It’s something I get asked a lot in clinic too. Supplements can be amazing and used at the right time, for the right duration can be potent in getting us to optimal health, healing and recovery.

But it is a supplement minefield out there.

More isn’t always better - read Claire's top tips on how to know what your body actually needs....

More isn’t always better - top tips on how to know what your body actually needs My husband works in the sports industry and this morning he asked me to look at a product to work out its value and potential efficacy. It’s something I get asked a lot in clinic too. Supplements can be amazing

24/04/2026

You’ve heard of Arnica, right?

This is my usual ‘way in’ when introducing patients to Homeopathy. Some people have never heard of it, some love it, others out right dismiss it. I have found it to be very controversial, and can evoke quite strong reactions in people, positive and negative.

I once posted about the benefits of a Homeopathic remedy on Facebook and someone appeared from the depths of the internet to strongly inform me that all Homeopaths are charlatans, out for money, and should be avoided at all costs. I can assure you, Homeopaths don’t go into it for the money. They study thousands of remedies over years of training and yet you don’t hear the words ‘loaded’ and ‘Homeopath’ in the same sentence!

Pharmaceutical executives… that might be a different story.

https://themarispractice.com/youve-heard-of-arnica-right/

19/04/2026

Pam H (March '26).....Great news, we are so happy to hear that Angelina has worked her magic once again! Others suffering with IBS will also be delighted to hear this.

"I went to see Angelina for repeated bad flare ups of IBS and after two sessions of cupping and acupuncture I can say I am very well for now and am so grateful for her gentle concern and knowledgeable hands on experience, I shall continue with her and also this excellent Practise for the foreseeable future."

17/04/2026

Bloating is one of those things that happens so often we’ve quietly filed it under “normal”. Just because something is common doesn’t make it normal - something that is currently being shown in world events!

We’re talking:

- clothes suddenly not fitting by 3pm
- that heavy, uncomfortable, “I can’t quite stand up straight” feeling
- low energy, brain fog, general ugh

And here’s the bit that often gets missed – bloating can also be a sign that we’re not properly absorbing our food. So even if your diet looks great on paper, your body might not be getting what it needs, resulting in a number of symptoms including fatigue, brain fog and irritability

7 Reasons You Bloat and what to do One of those things that happens so often we’ve quietly filed it under “normal”. But as I say in clinic (on repeat), just because something is common doesn’t make it normal. For some it happens occasionally, for others it’s daily - either way it can be mi...